Town Attorney Ken Spillias will review Ocean Ridge’s options — including re-annexation of Briny Breezes — to guard against the effects of Senate bill 360, development legislation that maximizes density along the east coast. The legislation raises concerns because it removes responsibility from a developer to provide roads to handle increased traffic, among other things, Commissioner Terry Brown explained. That, combined with the possibility that Briny Breezes could be sold in the future following its failed deal, raises threats of development that could flood A1A with traffic, the commissioner said.
Brown brought up the issue at the last commission meeting after a Weston group invited the town to kick in $2,500 and join its lawsuit over the bill. Brown suggested commissioners consider “a hostile takeover” of Briny, although he later said that, following President Obama’s lead, he’d like to “recalibrate” his choice of words. The commissioner explained he didn’t intend that Ocean Ridge should embark on a hostile or aggressive action, but that a merger could be in the best interest of both cities.
Ocean Ridge and Briny Breezes — along with the south portion of Manalapan — were part of the town of Boynton until Ocean Ridge became a separate town in 1931.
— Margie Plunkett
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